Attachment for sewing machines



NOV. 16, 1943. s, BOYER 2,334,599

ATTACHMENTS FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 25, 1941 i 11 NHHIIIIIUIHHIIHI A lllllllllll Patented Nov .16, 1943 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE ATTACHMENT FOB sawmu moms Samuel H. Boyer, Belmont. N. 0., assignor of onehalf to I. Hatch, Charlotte, N. 0.

Application February :5, 1941, Serial No. ssosza 6 Claims. (01. uz-zsz) The present invention pertains to sewing machines, and it comprises novel mechanism for feeding the fabric through the machine, and for cutting chains of sewing stitches between the pieces of fabric sewn.

beyond the feed point of the feeding cups, so located that, as the seam is formed, the stocking 1 passes between the auxiliary feed roller and its coacting feed cup by the natural action of the operator moving her left hand to withdraw the stocking from the stitch-forming mechanism.

I Thus, the take-up tension is applied to the stock- In the practice of producing stockings, especially of the full fashioned type, the stockings are knitted as flat fabric blanks, which are folded with side edges juxtaposed, and the edges are sewed together with an overseam to form the stocking tubular. The most common present day overseaming stocking seaming machine is of the cup feed type, and the invention is shown as applied to cup feed sewing machines. However, certain features of the invention are applicable to other types of sewing machines.

Under common prior art practice of seaming stockings, the stocking blanks are fed to the stitch forming mechanism between a pair of oppositely disposed cups, as feed rollers. The cups are driven to rotate at a predetermined speed relative-to the speed of operation of the stitchforming mechanism. 'By this means the stitches are spaced apart predetermined distances in the fabric. As the stitched fabric leaves the stitch forming mechanism it is delivered out of engagement with the feed rollers, while the completed stitches nearest the stitch-forming mechanism continues to be subjected to thread tensions applied to the sewing threads. This creates a tendency of the seam to pucker as it leaves the stitchforming mechanism, and frequently results in an uneven seam being produced with varying degrace of resiliency along its length.

Under prior art practice of, stocking seaming, the machine operator grasps the seamed portion of the stocking with the left hand and forcibly draws it away from the stitch-forming mechanism, thus applying a take-up tension to the fabric manually. Obviously, this method is not entirely satisfactory, and results in stocking seams being puckered in places, and uneven.

The present invention comprises a fabric takeup mechanism in a sewing machine, and more particularly, in a cup feed type of overseaming machine. In the practical embodiment of the invention it comprises an auxiliary fabric transmitting roller in yielding engagement withone of the feed cups, and driven thereby. The auxiliary roller is positioned at a point immediately ing mechanically. and the operator only handles the stocking to guide it through the machine, and to cut the length of chain stitches intermediate the successive stocking blanks.

The invention comprises a novel chain cutter.

Under prior art practice the chain cutter is 10- I cated below the rearmost feed cup. when the seam of a stocking is completed, the operator continues to operate the machine to produce about five inches of chain stitches. She must then twist her body to the left, and look around the feed cups, in order to apply the length of chain stitches to the cutter. She then sets the seamed stocking beside her in the batch of completed work, prepares the machine to begin the seaming of the next stocking and guides the next stocking blank to the machine. The chain of stitches extending from each end of the completed seam are trimmed to their desired length by a subsequent operation.

Under the practice of the present invention the chain stitch cutter is disposed above the level of the nearest feed cup, in clear view of the operator. It is'of less complex construction'than the prior art cutter, is more readily removedfrom the machine for sharpening, and is constructed in a manner to be more easily sharpened.

' In the preferred practice of the invention, the 1 novel cutter is positioned above the path of the seamed stockings as they pass beyond the stitchforming mechanism, and under the auxiliary fabric take-up roller. The cutter is spaced away from the auxiliary roller a predetermined distance, determined by the lengths of chain stitches desired-to extend from each end of the seam. Thus, when the operator cuts the chain, there is the desired length of chain stitches extending from the trailing end of the seam of the seamed stocking, and from the leading end of the seam of the succeeding stocking. No subsequent trimming operation is necessary.

The novel method of seaming successive stockings comprises the steps of completing the seam of a leading stocking; then producing a length of chain stitches which is much shorter than under from both the leading and trailing ends of a seam in a stocking; then beginning the seam of the next succeeding stocking; and then severing the chain of stitches between stocking blanks midway of its length. The operator guides the seamed stocking through the auxiliary take-up roller with her left hand; then begins the next succeeding stocking into the feed rollers and operates the machine. to form seam stitches untilthe leading end of the succeeding blank passes between the auxiliary roller and its coacting feed roller. She now cuts the intermediate chain of stitches. The cutter is so located that a simple motion of the left hand, which includes the natural motion to deposit the seamed stocking in the batch of completed work, operates to cut the chain. With the completely seamed stocking in her left hand, the operator swings her hand upwardly and forwardly towards her body, placing the stocking beside her where the batch of completed work is positioned.

The invention and its several advantages will be better understood from the showing of the ac-v companying drawing, in which- Figure 1 shows an elevation of the machine, with those details which are unimportant for understanding the present invention omitted, the view being taken from the left of the machine, and illustrating the novel mechanism of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the fabric trans mitting mechanism and its relationship to the stitch-forming mechanism;

Figure 3 is an elevation, partly in section, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of parts comprising the novel chain cutting mechanism of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional elevation showing the manner in which the fabric take-up roller and the cutter are mounted.

The drawing shows those portions of a. sewing machine to which the invention pertains. The

' sewing machine may be of any suitable construction. The invention has been practiced in the art of seaming full fashioned hosiery, and, ac-

. cordingly, the drawing shows an overseaming machine, which is a type commonly employed for seaming hosiery. This machine comprises a pair of feeding discs, H and i2, front and rear respectively., Figures land 2, which are driven in opposite directions. The discs II and I2 are provided with respective rims l4 and I5, which render the discs cup-shaped. For that reason these machines are commonly termed cup feed machines.

The surfaces of the rims I4 and I 5 are serrated, as shown, to enable them to grip and transmit the fabric between them. The cups ll and I2 are mounted fixed to the respective shafts" and l1, which are rotated in opposite directions by driving means contained in the housing l8, which also encloses the main drive shaft, and mechanism to operate the stitch forming mechanism in timed relationship wlth'the feed of fabric thereto by the feed cups II and I2. This portion of the machine is well understood, and requires no further explanation herein. The shafts l5 and I1 are enclosed in the respective shaft housings l9 and 20.

The stitch forming mechanism includes the needle 2|, which is reciprocated horizontally in a path immediately above the upper edges of the rims l4 and I5, where the rims engage each other at the feed point 22. Supported by the bracket 24, comprising the lower extremity of the shaft housing I9, is the needle guide block 23, which guides the needle in its passage over the front feed cup II. The hereinbefore described structure is old and well known in the art, and constitutes so much of the prior art as pertains to the present invention.

The vice of the present invention comprises means to prevent puckering of the seam as it leaves the stitch-forming mechanism. Mounted on the needle guide block 23, Figure 2, to pivot on the pin;28, is the arm 21. At the end of the arm 21, mounted to pivot on the pin 28, is the auxiliary fabric transmitting roller 28, the arm 21 being deflected downwardly at 30, Figures 4 and 5, to position the roller 29 in face to face engagement with the rim H of the feed cup I i. The roller 29 is held in yielding engagement with the face of the rim H by means of the torsional coil spring 32, which is coiled around the pivot pin 26 of the arm 21. See Figure 1. The force with which the roller 29 engages the cup surface 14 is adjustable by means of the plurality of holes 33, in. any of which, one end of the spring32 can be projected selectively for different spring tensions. The face of the roller 29 is serrated, as shown, for gripping engagement with the surface Id of the disc H.

The roller 29 engages the rim H at a point beyond the stitch forming position at 22. As is well understood in the'art of seaming full fashioned hosiery, each stocking blank is folded with its side edges juxtaposed, and at one end thereof the juxtaposed edges are guided to a position-between the pair of feed cups Ii and 12, with the help of suitable guiding means which form no part of the present invention. The stitch-forming mechanism is power driven to operate to form stitches, and the cups H and I2 are simultaneously driven to rotate in timed relationship with the stitch-forming operation, to transmit a predetermined length of the edges of the fabric blank through the feed point 22 during the formation of each stitch.

Under common prior art practice the operator guides the stocking blank to the stitch-forming point 22 by grasping the unseamed portion of the stocking with the right hand. As the seamed portion of the stocking emerges from the feed rollers II and I2 beyond the stitch-forming needle 2| located at the feed point 22, the newly formed seam stitches remain subjected to the tension of th sewing threads, and this tension has a tendency to pull the threads of formed stitches, and to pucker the seam. This is obviated to a degree, under prior art practice, by the operator grasping the seamed portion of the stocking with the left hand and applying a manual take-up tension to the seam and the stocking, and drawing the stocking away from the feed point 22. The operator sits in a position to the right of Figure 2, facing the feed roller II, with the feed roller l2 behind it and slightly to the right. She

,grasps the unseamed portion of the stocking with the right hand, and the seamed portion thereof with the left hand. With the left hand she draws the stocking blank to the left, and, naturally, as a result of her position, she draws the blank somewhat towards her body and in engagement with the face 14 of roller ll. Under this circumstance the stocking blank will continue in contact with the face ll of the front feed roller ll after it leaves the feed point at 22, until it progresses to a position between the auxiliary roller 29 and the feed roller II. The blank is, thus, advanced by the rollers II and 29 under a uniform mechanically applied take-up tension.

Novel means are provided to cut the chain of -l2. Under the place the 3 44 by exerting asses stitches between successive stocking blanks, and this comprises the cutter; attached to the end of the arm 21 by means of the pinjl. The cutter llliesilatonthetopsurfaceofarmfl. It proiects forwa dly. away from the attaching pin "along the arm 21, and terminates with the end projection 38, which overhangs the edge of the arm 21 and engages its deflection 20, to hold the cutter in predetermined proper position relative to the roller 2!. The cutter is provided with the rearwardly directed notch 31, positioned to receive the chain of stitches between stocking blanks when the leading blank is swung upwardly and forwardly. towards-the body of the operator. The notch 31 is ground beveled, indicated at ll, to provide a sharp cutting edge, which terminates at the apex 39 of the notch. At 39 the cutting edge-is rounded, continuous cutting edge notch which would operate to tear, rather than to cut, the chain. The notch 31 can be beveled on top, as shown, or on the bottom, or on both sides. However, the latter structure is not preferred because one surfaceof the cutting edge should be flat with the surface of the cutter. By this means the cutter can be readily sharpened by simply sliding it across the surface of a whet stone.

The chain stitch cutter 34 of the present invention replaces the cutter conventionally present in the prior art, which prior art cutter is attached to the machine housing, and projects forward therefrom into position under the rear feed roller prior art practice, the operator draws the stocking away from the feed point 22 and the stitch-forming mechanism, applying the take-up tension to the blank manually, until the seam is completed. She thereupon continues to rate the machine to produce a length of chain stitches. about five inches thereof being necessary to reach the prior art cutter. She then reaches around the left side of the machine to chain into the cutter, and she draws blank to the left to cut the chain. It lean to the left to see what the seamed is necessary for her to she is doing. from each end of the seam are trimmed to the desired length in a subsequent operation.

With the structure of the present invention the operator practices a novel method of seaming successive stocking blanks, which method is less time consuming, and less tiring to the operator, and which method produces a better and less costly seam.

Under the practice of this novel method, the operator guides the leading blank ll to her left and forward between the feed roller H and the auxiliary roller 29. until the seam 42 is completed, when the operator continues to produce a predetermined length 43 of chain stitches which is much shorter than under prior art practice. She thereupon begins to guide a succeeding blank 44 into the feed point at 22, and through the stitch forming operation, drawing on the blank slight tension on the chain of stitches 43. By this means the leading end of the succeeding stocking blank 44 follows the surface I of the roller ll until it passes under the auxiliary roller 29. The operator now stops the machine only long enough to dispose of the preceding seamed blank 4!, and this is done by the simple act of swinging the left hand upwardly and forwardly. This movement places the leading stocking blank into the position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, with the chain of stitches intermediate the respective leading and succeedas shown, to provide ainstead ofa wedgelike Thechains of stitches extendinging blanks, II and 44, disposed in the notch 31 of thecutter. The operator continues the movement of her left hand to place the seamed blank beside her in the batch of finished work, and this movement cuts the chain 01' stitches midway between the trailing end of seam l2 and the leading end of seam 45. The operation of the cutter I4 is in clear view of the operator, and the operation is the natural movement by the operator to deposit the seamed blank with the batch of completed work.'

It-will be noted that, after the operator has placed the seamed stocking 4| aside, the succeeding stocking 44 is in ready position to be grasped by the left hand to be guided through the machine. The succeeding stocking blank is already started through the machine, and is under takeup action of the auxiliary roller 29. i

The length 43 of chain stitches between succeeding stocking blanks is easily gaged to be long enough to properly position the chain in the cutter it when the leading end of the trailing blank 44 has entered between the feed roller H and auxiliary roller 29, in the position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The cutter is so located relative to the roller 29 that the desired length of chain stitches is left extending away from the trailing end of the seam 42 of the leading stocking blank 4|, and also from the leading end of the seam 45 of the succeeding stocking blank 44.

The structure shown in the drawing presents one practical embodiment of the invention which,

' however, is succeptible of a number of modifications within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, applicant is not to be limited by the struture shown, but the scope of the invention is determined by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A stocking seaming machine acompri'sing mechanism operable to form the seam stitches, and mechanism to transmit the stocking blanks through the machine. the transmitting mechanism including a pair of feed rollers driven in timed relationship with the stitch-forming mechanism in opposite engagement at the stitchforming mechanism to present a blank thereto at the desired predetermined rate, an arm pivoted above one feed roller, an auxiliary transmission roller rotatably carried by said arm beyond the periphery of the said roller, a spring urging the arm towards the feed roller to hold the auxiliary roller in engagement with the feed roller to be driven thereby, the auxiliary roller being positioned at a point beyond the stitchforming mechanism to take-up the blank as it is seamed in timed relationship with the formation of the seam, and a cutter carried by the arm beyond the auxiliary roller.

2. A stocking seaming machine comprising mechanism operable to form the seam stitches, mechanism to transmit the stocking blanks through the machine, and a cutter to separate seamed blanks, the transmitting mechanism in- '3. In combination with a stocking seaming. machine including rotatably mounted feed rollers and stitch-forming means adjacent contacting portions of the rollers, anarm mounted over one roller. an auxiliary roller rotatably carried by said arm and frictionally driven by contact with the peripheral'edge of one of the feed rollers and cooperating therewith for drawing a seamed blank away from the stitching mechanism, and a cutter carried by said arm.

4. In combination with a stocking seaming machine including stitching means and feed rollers having contacting portions adjacent the stitching means, a mounting above one roller, an arm pivoted to said mounting and extending beyond the periphery of said roller, an auxiliary roller 5. In combination with a stocking seaming machine including stitching means and rollers for delivering a blank to the stitching means, an arm pivotally mounted over one feed roller and yieldably held against swinging movement away from the said roller, an auxiliary roller, 9, pin carried by said arm and rotatably mounting the auxilia'ry roller in position forcontacting engagement with the said feed roller, the auxiliary roller rotatably carried by said arm opposite the peripheral edge face of the roller, a spring urging the arm in a direction to yieldably hold the auxiliary roller in engagement with the peripheral edge. face of the said roller inspaced relation to the stitching means circumferentially of the roller, the auxiliary roller being driven from the roller engaged thereby and cooperating therewith for drawing a seamed portion of a blank outwardly from the stitching means for a portion of the periphery of the said roller, and a cutter carried by said arm.

being rotated-by the said feed roller and cooperating therewith for drawing a seamed portion of a blank away from the stitching means, and a cutter having a shank secured against said am and a sharpened bill projecting from the arm.

6. In a combination with a stocking seaming machine including rotatably mounted feed rollers and stitch-forming means associated therewith, a mounting above one roller, an arm pivoted to said mounting and projecting beyond the periphery of the said roller, an auxiliary roller carried on the free end of said arm, a spring urging the arm toward the one feed roller to yieldingly retain said auxiliary roller against the last mentioned feed roller, and a cutter carried by the projecting free end portion of said arm above the plane of and in proximity to said feed rollers.

, SAMUEL H. BOYER. 

